- Name: Friesian, Frizian, Frisian
- Scientific Name: Equus ferus caballus
- Colors: Black
- Height: Between 60 and 68 inches
- Weight: Between 1,200 and 1,400 pounds
- Lifespan: Up to 16 years
15 Friesian Horse Facts for Kids
- Friesian horses are a horse breed that originated from the Netherlands (Friesland) in Western Europe.
- Friesian horses are also known as a Frizian or Frisian.
- Friesian horses are named after the location where they originated, Friesland, a northern province in the Netherlands.
- A purebred Friesian is commonly black, but occasionally they can be chestnut or bay.
- The average height of a Friesian horse is between 60 and 68 inches.
- The average weight of a Friesian horse is between 1,200 and 1,400 pounds.
- The average lifespan of a Friesian horse is between 13 and 17 years.
- According to the Dutch Friesch Paarden Stamboek, there are more than 45,000 registered Friesian horses worldwide, with about 8,000 of them registered in North America.
- It’s estimated that Friesian horses make up 7% of the horse population in the Netherlands.
- The median cost of a Friesian horse that is well-trained and well-bred is about $25,000.
- The cost of a qualified or approved Friesian stallion can be over $500,000.
- In the Middle Ages the Friesian horse was commonly used by knights in full armor because of their size and strength.
- The color, size and appearance of Friesian horses are why they’re popular in movies and television shows.
- Even though Friesian horses are very popular there were times throughout history where they almost went extinct.
- According to the Guinness World Records, the largest quadrille involved 132 Friesian horses. This record was set on July 5th, 2019 in Mannheim, Germany.
Friesian Horse Pictures
A picture of a black Friesian horse.Credit: Ghetty Images
A picture of a Friesian horse stomping.Credit: Ghetty Images
A close-up of a Friesian horse’s head.Credit: Ghetty Images
Additional Resources on Friesian Horse
- Friesian Horse Video – Watch this video by US Equestrian to learn more about Friesian horses.
- History of the Friesian Horse – Discover the history of the Friesian horse on the Friesian Equine website.
- Friesian Horse – Wikipedia – Learn more about Friesian horses on the Wikipedia website.